Inaugural NDC Post Meeting Comment Forum

Keep the Dialogue Going!

• how we can tap into the knowledge of the stakeholder community to stay current with changes in medicine, technology, and the world of work;

• factors and methods for considering an adult’s ability to function in work settings; and

• how we can enhance the medical evidence available for disability decisions.

We encourage you to post a comment, comment on another posting, and to use the voting function. All of the input we received during the IdeaScale period leading up to the meeting, the valued input during the meeting, and the comments you provide us now will help us create responsive policy.

To submit a comment:

• Click on the Submit New Idea button on the upper left side

• Register if you have not registered

• Type the title of your comment (64 characters)

• Type your comment in the description box

• Click the submit button

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For those unable to attend the Inaugural National Disability Coalition (NDC) meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, in Washington, DC, please do the following to listen to the full audio recording of the event:

Dial toll free: 1-888-203-1112

Enter passcode: 6537220#

Once listening to the meeting:

Press 5 to return to the beginning

Press 7 to back up 30 seconds

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Press 9 to advance 30 seconds

Submitted by Community Memberin Oct 2014

Voting

The National Association of Disability Representatives agrees that an accessible data base of shared ideas by various organizations concerning their newsletters, meetings, and so on, could be helpful in looking at

Voting

With regard to gathering medical evidence, the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR) believes that treating sources can and do offer the most informed and accurate information about a claimant and should continue to be given priority. We also believe that eligible treating sources should be expanded to include Physicians’ Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, and social workers. Currently,
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Voting

The National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR) strongly agrees with Lisa Ekman's statement during the Coalition meeting on September 24th that evaluation of function must be determined through an individualized assessment. The grids, which allow for consideration of pain, fatigue and mental and cognitive impairments, are appropriate and should continue to be used in determining an individual's functional
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Voting

The SSA periodically updates the medical criteria that are used to evaluate a given set of medical conditions. Although the SSA releases the draft revised criteria for public comment through the Federal Register, the SSA should more proactively reach out to professional societies/public health groups/experts in the field to solicit their feedback.

Submitted by Community Memberin Sep 2014

Voting

in addition to the many ways discussed that SSA can obtain medical evidence, the caregiver should be at the top of the list. SSA should routinely allow caregivers to provide statements regarding the nature of the condition affecting their loved one. Caregivers can provide more than just the "snapshot" that a medical visit provides.

Submitted by Community Memberin Sep 2014

Voting

In addition to telephone, online and in person applications and interviews, SSA should consider videoconferencing for those individuals with cognitive impairments who will be slow to reply to questions or whose speech may be impaired due to their disease.

Videoconferencing allows a virtual in person interaction. Ideally SSA could set up sites so those in need of assistance would be able to readily access them.

Voting

I strongly support and encourage the role and use of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Vocational Experts in Social Security Administration, public and private disability claims in assessing an individual’s functional ability as it relates to a work environment. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are uniquely trained in understanding the medical, psychological, social, and vocational effects of disability. Therefore,
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